Kerala organ racket case: ED conducts raids at major private hospitals

Officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at several leading private hospitals and residences across Kerala early on Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged international organ trafficking network.

Teams from the ED's Kochi unit conducted raids at multi-speciality hospitals in Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kottayam. Simultaneously, officials searched the residences of suspected intermediaries, including a woman in Kollam and a man in Kasaragod.

The agency is examining financial records and transactions linked to the alleged racket, with a focus on tracing proceeds believed to have been generated through illegal organ transplant operations.

Allegations of forged documents

Investigators suspect the network used forged documents to circumvent organ transplant regulations.

According to the probe, the accused allegedly fabricated a range of records, including hospital letterheads and police clearance certificates. They are also suspected of forging the signatures of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies to create recommendation letters.

These documents were allegedly used to present organ donors and recipients as relatives or altruistic donors, thereby helping secure approvals required under the law.

Probe focuses on money trail

The ED is also examining the financial aspect of the alleged operation.

Investigators believe patients requiring organ transplants paid between ₹20 lakh and ₹25 lakh for procedures arranged through the network. However, donors, many of whom were allegedly from financially vulnerable backgrounds, are suspected to have received only ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

The remaining amount is believed to have been retained by middlemen as commission.

Officials are now scrutinising bank transactions, financial records and digital evidence to determine how the funds were moved and whether any of the money passed through hospital accounts or was concealed by those involved.

Arrests and wider investigation

The investigation has centred on Mohammed Najeeb Kallatra, a native of Kasaragod, who was recently arrested by Kerala Police in Uttar Pradesh.

His wife, Rasheeda, and several associates have also been arrested for their alleged involvement in identifying and recruiting organ donors from different parts of Kerala.

Police suspect the group has been operating since at least August 2023 and may have facilitated at least 20 illegal transplant procedures.

While the hospitals involved have maintained that they complied with all legal requirements, investigators are examining whether any staff members or administrators were aware of the alleged fraud or played a role in enabling it.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to investigate the network and identify additional suspects, while the ED pursues the financial trail linked to the case.